The Aquatic Pollutants Final Conference, hosted by DECHEMA in Frankfurt from October 22-23, 2024, brought together professionals and experts in the water and aquatic pollutant sectors to share groundbreaking research and explore innovative ways to address water quality challenges. Our director, Naomi Timmer, took the stage on Day 1, delivering an impactful presentation on community engagement and breaking down barriers in knowledge transfer. Her talk, featuring the winning concept from our Innovation Challenge on Science Communication, captivated the audience and highlighted key approaches to effective engagement.

ACTeon, led by Maïté Fournier and Manon Berge, contributed significantly to the event by creating the interactive Knowledge Transfer Booth, designed to make sharing research on aquatic pollutants engaging and accessible. The booth offers something for everyone:

• Games and interactive tools
• Podcasts and multimedia experiences
• Creepy facts about aquatic pollutants
• A fun activity to find out “Which TransNet world character are you?”

Katie Carter opened the event by discussing the TransNet initiative and the importance of diverse dissemination methods. Naomi’s presentation followed, emphasizing the role of community involvement in knowledge transfer, and Nicole Barran introduced the TransNet Viewer, a new tool for exploring insights from the water sector and identifying end-user needs. Together with ACTeon, we developed a “knowledge transfer game,” which invites participants to learn about aquatic pollutants and navigate knowledge transfer challenges through a fun, hands-on cardboard game experience.

ACTeon’s role in the TransNet project has been essential, bridging science and policy by identifying end-users, assessing their needs, and creating tools like the TransNet Viewer, an online resource that offers insights from 18 different research projects. We extend our gratitude to all the speakers, panelists, and contributors, who are helping pave the way for a healthier aquatic environment.